What were the questions on the 1950 U.S census?

A:

Quick Answer

The 1950 U.S. census contained 20 questions, with additional supplemental questions being sent to 5 percent of the population, such as the number of the home or apartment and what state the resident was born in. There were fewer questions on the 1950 census than on the 1940 census.

A person's marital status (including whether they were divorced, separated or never married).

Whether a person was naturalized if born outside the United States.

What activities a person was engaged in during the previous week, which could include anything from work to housekeeping.

How many hours per week did the person work, and what the nature of their employment was.

The last five questions on the census form were aimed at those over 14 years old only, and were mainly employment-related.

The supplemental questions included:

Where the person was living this time last year

What country the father and mother of the person were born in

What was the highest education grade the person achieved

Much like the standard census questions, a number of the supplemental questions were specifically aimed at those over 14 years old, and included queries as to whether a person had served in the armed forces, and how much they may have received from financial dividends, rents or pensions.